Macular Degeneration

What is macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration is damage or breakdown of the macula of the eye. The macula is a small area of the retina at the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details clearly. When the macula doesn't function correctly, we experience blurring or darkness in the center of our vision.

Macular degeneration affects both distance and close vision, and can make some activities - like threading a needle or reading - difficult or impossible.
Although macular degeneration reduces vision in the central part of the retina, it does not affect the eye's side, or peripheral vision. For example, you could see the outline of a clock, but not be able to tell what time it is.

Macular degeneration alone does not result in total blindness. People continue to have some useful vision and are often able to take care of themselves, but may not be able to read or drive a car.

What causes macular degeneration?

Many older people develop macular degeneration as part of the body's natural aging process. The two most common types of age-related macular degeneration are "dry" (atrophic) and "wet" (exudative):

"Dry" macular degeneration (atrophic)

Most people have "dry" macular degeneration. It is caused by aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula. Vision loss is usually gradual.

"Wet" macular degeneration (exudative)

"Wet" macular degeneration accounts for about 10% of all cases. It results when abnormal blood vessels form at the back of the eye. These new blood vessels leak fluid or blood and blur central vision. Vision loss may be rapid and severe.

What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?

Macular degeneration can cause different symptoms in different people. The condition may be hardly noticeable in its early stages. Sometimes only one eye loses vision while the other eye continues to see well for many years.

But when both eyes are affected, the loss of central vision may be noticed more quickly. Following are some common ways vision loss is detected:

Words on a page looked blurred;

A dark or empty area appears in the center of vision;

Straight lines look distorted.

How is macular degeneration diagnosed?

Many people do not realize that they have a macular problem until blurred vision becomes obvious. Your Ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) can detect early stages of macular degeneration during a medical eye examination that includes the following:

Viewing the macula with an ophthalmoscope

A simple vision test in which you look at a grid resembling graph paper

Sometimes special photographs, called angiograms, are taken to find abnormal blood vessels under the retina. Fluorescent dye is injected into your arm and your eye is photographed as the dye passes through the blood vessels in the back of the eye.

How is macular degeneration treated?

Despite ongoing medical research, there is no cure yet for "dry" macular degeneration. Since 2001, numerous studies have shown that certain nutritional supplementscan slow the progression of "dry" or atrophic macular degeneration.

The nutrients studied in the "Age Related Eye Disease Study," (AREDS) were vitamin C 500mg, vitamin E 400 IU, zinc 80 mg., 2mg copper and 15mg beta carotene. Beta carotene is controversial, as studies indicate that it may increase risk of lung cancer in smokers. Recent studies indicate that Lutein and Zeaxanthine 10 -20 mg. per day and omega 3 fatty acids are also helpful. Despite these advances, dry AMD may still worsen. Treatment of advanced AMD still focuses on helping a person find ways to cope with visual impairment.

Ten percent of patients with dry macular degeneration will progress to the more rapidly progressive "wet" macular degeneration. In this form, abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, destroying the sensitive photoreceptors. Fortunately, new and improved treatments are available helping many patients to retain good eyesight.

These treatments include injections with medications called Avastin and Lucentis, which cause the abnormal blood vessels to close off and regress. These medications are also referred to as anti VEGF drugs because they block the effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors.

Laser treatments are still occasionally used. Laser surgery uses a highly focused beam of light to seal the leaking blood vessels that damage the macula. Although a small, permanently dark "blind spot" is left at the point of laser contact, the procedure can preserve more sight overall.

Despite advanced medical treatment, some people with macular degeneration still experience vision loss. Your ophthalmologist can prescribe optical devices or refer you to a low-vision specialist or center.

A wide range of support services and rehabilitation programs are also available to help people with macular degeneration maintain a satisfying lifestyle. Because side vision is usually not affected, a person's remaining sight can be very useful.

Often, people can continue with many of their favorite activities by using low-vision optical devices such as magnifying devices, closed-circuit television, large-print reading materials, and talking or computerized devices.

Testing your vision with the Amsler grid

You can check your vision daily by using an Amsler grid like the one pictured below. You may find changes in your vision that you wouldn't notice otherwise. Putting the grid on the front of your refrigerator is a good way to remember to look at it each day.

Wear your glasses and hold this grid at 12-15 inches in good light.

Cover one eye.

Look directly at the center dot with the uncovered eye.

While looking directly at the center dot, note whether all lines of the grid are straight or if any areas are distorted, blurred, or dark.

Repeat this procedure with the other eye.

If any area of the grid looks wavy, blurred, or dark, contact your Ophthalmologist immediately.